Pull-socket.



G. B. THOMAS.

PULL SOCKET- APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1909.

934,236, Patented Sept. 14,1909.

5 I I /7 2'2. 2/ 7] Af/ /3 7 A/ q INVENTOR ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE B. THOMAS, or isnrnenronr, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNQR TO THE BRYANT ELECTRIC COMPANY, or BRIDGEPORT. confinement, A conronmmn or con- NEQTICUT.

PULL-SOCKET.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept, 14, 1909,

Application filed May 15, 1909. Serial No. 496,216.

sockets and particularly to pull sockets, the 1 object of my invention being to improve the same in the particulars hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a lamp socket, partially broken away to show an embodiment of my invention therein; Fig. 2 is a perspective of details detached before assembling.

In the type of incandescent lamp sockets of which that shown in the patent to Platt, 716,578, may be taken as an example, it is customary in order to confine the lighting current to the lamp terminals and the switch piece, to insulate the switch spindle from the switch piece by cutting the perforation in the latter through which the spindle passes, to a diameter considerably greater than that of the spindle so as to leave an insulating space between the latter and the contact piece. The spindle is thus rendered dead and there is no danger that the switch operating mechanism which is mounted thereon, will carry the current outside the socket. It occasionally happens however, that with the wear of the parts against each other, or the entrance of dust, dirt and fibers into the socket, that the gap between the spindle and the switch piece becomes filled up, and the lamp current finds its way to the switch spindle, with the result that all the switch mechanism becomes dangerously charged. To obviate this danger, I propose to divide the spindle into two parts-the upper portion, on which the switch mechanism is mounted, being completely insulated from the lower part by the rotary block carrying the switch piece. A suitable construction to accomplish. this purpose'is herewith illustrated.

The lower insulating button A is centrally perforated to receive the bushing 10, the lamp end of which is threadedto receive the screw 11 by which the central contact 12 for B. THoitAs, a

extending only block and means mounted on said spindle the lamp is held in place, while the other end is left plain to form a bearing for a pin 13 on the rotary switch piece 14. Theusual rotaryinsulating block 15, upon which the switch piece 16 is mounted, is not perforated to permit the passage of the switch spindle therethrough but forms a solid insulating wall separating the switch member from the spindle 17 on which the switch operating members are mounted.

- To facilitate. the assembly of parts, I prefer to secure the lower-end of the spindle to the ratchet member 18 by spreading its lower end beneath the latter, although this is not necessary since it is in any event held rigidly against the insulating block 15'by the beari'ng cap 19 in which its other end is socketed. A slight centering recess 20 may be formed in the block 15 in which the lower end of the spindle is stepped. Lugs 21 struck down from the ratchet member '18 enter recesses 22 in the block 15 and thus impart to the latter, and consequently to the switch piece 16, the intermittent rotary motion caused by the actuation of the chain 23.

Obviously the precise construction described is not. the only manner of embodying my invention in the socket mechanism, and I do not limitmyself thereto, but claim as my invention.

1. In a lamp socket, a. rotary insulating block, a switclrmember moving therewith mounted on one side of the same, a'spindle to the other side of said for rotating said block, substantially as described.

2. In a lamp socket, a. rotary mounted onone side of the same, in combination with a ratchet member engaging the other side of said block and a spindle carried by said ratchet member together with means mounted" on said spindle for imparting rotary motion-to said block, substantially as described.

8. In a lamp socket having insulating buttons spaced apart and interposed switch mechanism, a rotary block of insulating material, a switch member mounted thereon carrying a bearing pin, one ofsaid buttons being provided with a bearing therefor, in

I insulating, block, a switch member moving therewith combination witha' ratchet member engaging the other side of "said blook and a spindle name to this specification, in the presence of carried by said ratchet member, means two subscribing witnesses.

monnfced on saidspindle for operating said GEORGE BhTHOMAS;

In testimony whereof I. have signed my rotary vblock and a so cketed bearing for the Witnesses: free end of said spindle in the other insulat- F. E. SEELEY, ing button, substantially as described. I I A. H. J onns. 

